March 11, 2019 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public School District's board of education meeting is called to order.  

Rationale:  If any board member is absent, there will need to be a  motion to excuse the absence.

Rationale:  This is a legal meeting of the board of education, as advertised by the means specified in board policy. A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the board room for your review. A copy of the agenda is available at the desk of the recording secretary.

Rationale:  1. Strategic Planning Update on Standards Based Grading -- Please see attached handout
2. Building Visits

Rationale:  Please stand and join us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale:  Bel Air Elementary -- Music Education

Rationale:  Brenda Simpson. Middle School Special Education teacher

Rationale:  February 2019 Success Pin Recipients
The Cash Now winner is Rachel Zuhlke.  She will receive a $50 gift certificate, compliments of U.S. Bank.
 

Tara Brtek	Matt Skiff
Maureen Johnson	Sonya Nielson
Rosalva De la Cruz	Morgan Centrone
Mary Kirby	Renee Rucker
Patty Lichty	Heather Thompson
Allison McDonald	Mickie Mueller
Teresa Goodrich	Cami Asmus
Katarina Mills	Kris Andersen
Natalie Dolezal	Sharie Thelen
Becky Lechner	Katie Wright-Oswald
Abbie Ziemba	Chuck Hughes
Carlee Connot	Jill Marsden
Julie Muehlbauer	Andrea Luna
Jennifer Robinson	Rachel Zuhlke
Josh Weber

Rationale: 

This is the time during the meeting when the public may request to address the Board. If you wish to comment, we ask that you identify yourself and the topic that you wish to address. Each individual's comments will be limited to five minutes.

 Please note that  the Board cannot discuss or act upon matters that are not listed on the agenda. Therefore, Board  members will not respond to your comments or questions.  If you wish to request that an item be placed on a future Board agenda, you may contact the Superintendent or her assistant during normal business hours.

Also note that concerns related to school personnel need to be addressed to the Superintendent using the approved district protocol.

Rationale: 

Total amount of claims to be approved in the consent agenda for the month of March, 2019 by specific fund are as follows:

General Fund = $511,651.12

Nutrition Services Fund =$225,352.38

Cooperative Fund = $7,395.09

Depreciation Fund = $424,890.92

Special Building Fund = $7,881.24

Student Fee Fund = $6,169.07

The total amount of claims for the month of February, 2019 in the Activities Fund are as follows:
Activity Fund =$97,305.93

All of these claims were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facility Committee.

Rationale:  Board Report March 2019
Beth Nelson
Director of Teaching and Learning

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

• Here is a friendly reminder that the 4^th Annual Project Problem Solve Day is happening tomorrow at Lincoln Montessori. This event is sponsored by Big Red Keno. This year’s grant award was over $5,000.00. All 3^rd graders across the district will get to experience mini lessons taught by 4^th Grade Montessori, Middle School, Junior High and Senior High students in the areas of science, math, technology and engineering. The public session is open from 5-7 p.m. in the evening.
• State testing for ELPA is under way. The NSCAS window will open March 18^th. Right now we’ve trained everyone on proper administration of the tests and we’re assuring that the correct students are enrolled as we have had many come in and leave the district within the last month.
• On Monday, March 4^th we hosted John Baylor at the senior high for a session with juniors on tips, tricks and strategies for taking a successful ACT. 283 students were in attendance.  
• Now that Heather Thompson and Renee Rucker have completed depth of knowledge training for teachers, they are working on proficiency scale training. I appreciate how hard worked they have worked this year to teach our teachers and provide support as needed.
• It is getting that time of the year, so Mr. Hart and I have discussed professional development for next year and we’re already processing orders.
• In April there is a statewide conference on accountability. I hope to learn about the next evolution of decisions surrounding AQuESTT. I will report accordingly if there is anything new.  

Rationale:  Conference Numbers:
Little Panther Preschool-99%
Bel Air - 98%
Grant - 99%
Jefferson - 95%
Lincoln- 100%
Washington - 98%
Westside - 99%
Woodland Park - 99%
Middle School - 70%
Junior High - 58%
High school - 39%

Immunizations were offered through Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department during 7th grade registration on March 6th and will be offered again at the August registration.

Kindergarten enrollment has started for the 2019-2020 school term. Registration is being held at neighborhood schools. Parents must have a birth certificate and a copy of immunizations to begin the enrollment process. Kindergarten Round Up will be held Wednesday, April 17th at your neighborhood elementary school.

The ELPA assessment will end this Friday, March 15^th for our ELL students. We will get the results of the assessment in May.
 

Rationale: 

HR Board Report: March 2019

Office of Human Resources and School Accreditation:

School Safety Information:

• On Wednesday, February 27th, Officer Gena Jones from the Nebraska State Patrol provided CRAKE (Civilian Response to Active Killer Events) training to many of our classified staff members. This training (the same training our certified staff went through in January) helps our employees increase their "situational awareness" during crisis situations. The training also empowers staff to proactively think about decisive actions they might take to keep themselves and our students safe.

• On Wednesday, March 6th our District Reunification Team held a practice drill at First United Methodist Church. This drill was an excellent way for our team to conceptualize and critically think about how to effectively and efficiently respond to a student / parent reunification event.

• Both of these trainings exemplify our district commitment to keeping our staff and students safe.

 

Hiring Season:

 

• Hiring season continues to be very busy as we carefully review applications and select outstanding candidates to fill our most recent (and anticipated) openings. We also remain proactive in recruiting high quality educators through a wide variety of media sources, networking activities,  and campus visits.

 

Personnel Update:

 

• Current Openings:

• • Aftershock Club Facilitators

  • General Maintenance /Transportation (2)

  • Jefferson Elementary: Resource Paraprofessional

  • Junior High: Night Custodian (Anticipated)

  • Junior High: Secretary I (15 hrs)

  • School Bus Activity Drivers

  • Senior High: Achievement Center Paraprofessional

  • "Multi Building"  Custodian

  • Substitute Custodians

  • Substitute Deaf Ed. Interpreters

  • Substitute Paraprofessionals

  • Substitute Teachers
     

• 2019-2020 School Year Openings:

  • Elementary Teacher: Bel Air

  • Middle School: Upper Elementary Teachers (2)

  • Senior High: Science

  • Senior High: Social Studies

  • Junior High: Social Studies

  • Junior High:  Math

  • School Psychologist

  • Speech Language Pathologist

 

2019-2020 Coaching Openings:

• • ½ Assistant Theater (2nd Semester)

  • (Anticipated) Assistant Football

  • (Anticipated) Head Girls Soccer

  • Head Speech

  • Assistant Speech

  • 7th Assistant Volleyball

  • Freshman Football

  • 8th Grade Assistant Girls Basketball

Rationale:  March 1st Weather Announcement:
Norfolk Public Schools only had two snow days prior to the March 1st deadline.  This means that we will have a full Spring Break (Friday, March 15th, Monday, March 18th, and Tuesday, March 19th).

AQUESTT Classification Updates for the JH and SH:
As we've reviewed in the past, AQUESTT (Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow) is the Nebraska accountability system developed to meet the federal requirements of ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act). The original determinations for the 17-18 school year were published in December. Based upon EBA (Evidence Based Analysis) scores, a small margin of schools were allowed to submit additional information to support EBA ratings that could give schools a bump up in their classification. Both the Junior High and Senior High were allowed to do so. After NDE reviewed the information, both the Junior High and Senior High classifications were adjusted from Good to Great. 

There are six tenets within the EBA:
Positive Partnerships, Relationships, and Student Success
Transitions
College, Career and Civic Ready
Educator Effectiveness
Educational Opportunity and Access
Assessment 

The Junior High represented sufficient evidence in the following categories that awarded them with a bump in classification.
Educational Opportunities and Access
College, Career and Civic Ready
Assessment
Educator Effectiveness

The Senior High represented sufficient evidence in the following categories that awarded them with a bump up in classification.
Positive Partnerships, Relationships, and Student Success
Transitions
College, Career and Civic Ready
Assessment 

I appreciate the work that went into submitting evidence, as I believe that Great is a more accurate reflection of our schools' performance level.

Rationale:  Superintendent's Evaluation Summary/Comments

Dr. Thompson’s 2018-2019 Superintendent Evaluation has been completed. She received scores of "effective" or "exceptional" in all areas. Strategic planning, organization, advocacy, and community relations were noted as strengths.  In addition, it was noted that the district has made great strides under Dr. Thompson’s leadership. Improved facility planning, the implementation of an NPS Instructional Model, the creation of the Power of Preschool, the revision of our homework policy, strong professional development opportunities, safety enhancements, teacher selection and evaluation, career academy and dual credit partnerships, strong board and community relations, the district’s solid financial position, and political advocacy were listed as examples.

Rationale:  The committee met at 12:00 today, all claims for the month of March and Activity claims for February were reviewed.  The committee then discussed the following facility and business items:

• Update on the 25th Street renovation
• Recommendation on 403 B plan management services
• Review of beverage provider proposal
• Review of compensation increases for classified, nurses, and administration
• Reviewed proposal on additional student lockers at Sr. High 
• Reviewed proposal from RSP and Associates for further study on enrollment trends by neighborhoods in our district
• Discussed seeking proposals for intercom/phone upgrades and kitchen equipment

Rationale:  Mr. Ries and Mr. Viergutz provided the committee with a Winter Activities Participation update, as well as updates regarding pending NSAA proposals and facility updates.  The majority of our conversation focused on whether NHS should Opt Up to Class A in Boys Soccer and Boys Basketball.  Pros and cons were discussed, as well as the future direction that the NSAA may be taking in regards to classification.  Mr. Ries has upcoming meetings scheduled with the NSAA and the HAC, which may provide us with additional insight.  A final decision regarding our classification for 2019-2020 in Boys Soccer and Boys Basketball will not be made until after those meetings.

Our next Activities Committee meeting is scheduled for April 29th.

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee did not meet this month.  However, they did discuss Homework Policy 6240 electronically, and decided to wait until next month to present it for First Reading.

The next Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for 10:00 on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Rationale: 

The Government Relations Committee met on February 28th and March 5th. The February 28th meeting included a conference call with GNSA, where we discussed upcoming legislation, determined our position related to various bills, and developed strategy accordingly. Dr. Bill Robinson provided neutral testimony on behalf of the GNSA related to  LB 614, and Dr. Patti Gubbels presented opposing testimony on behalf of NPS, the NASB, and the GNSA related LB 670.  In addition, Dr. Thompson provided written testimony opposing LR 8CA and LB 506.

• LB 614 is a property tax reduction and school finance bill. Positive components of this bill that we support include:

  • It provides a mechanism to expand our tax base in order to reduce property taxes.

  • It increases the state aid to K-12 education.

  • It increases the sped reimbursement rate from 50% to 80%.

The portion that we are concerned with is the addition of Supplemental (foundation) Aid to non-equalized schools.  This could result in a reduction of state aid to equalized school districts in the future.

• LB 670 would provide tax credits for donations to non-public schools. We oppose the use of public tax dollars for non-public schools which are not held to the same standards as public schools and are not governed by elected officials.

• LR 8CA would place a 3% growth cap on public schools. Budget and spending caps already exist, making this legislation unnecessary are overly burdensome.  It is especially problematic for growing school districts.

• LB 506 also places additional budgeting caps on schools. We opposed it for the same reasons listed above.

We are monitoring numerous other bills and will provide written or verbal testimony regarding as many of them as possible.

We have a GNSA meeting scheduled for March 20th and a Government Relations Committee meeting scheduled for March 27th.

Rationale:  Minutes from the March 5, 2019 Nurses' Meeting and Student Health Fund Meeting are attached.

Rationale:  Minutes from the January 14, 2019 and January 24, 2019 meetings are attached.

Rationale:  Melissa Behrens - Teacher at Little Panthers Preschool
Alexis Bruha - Special Education Teacher at Little Panthers Preschool 
Jessica Fernau- Special Education Teacher at Little Panthers Preschool
Citlali Ramirez- Teacher at Little Panther Preschool
Lukas Ziemba - English Teacher at Norfolk Senior High School
Lacynda (Lacy) Rehan - Teacher at Little Panthers Preschool
Brooke Pospisil: 1st Grade Teacher at Westside Elementary School
Kaitlyn Merchant - Title Teacher at Westside Elementary School
Morgan Wilken - Math Teacher at Norfolk Senior High School
Alexandra Stahlecker- English Teacher at Norfolk Senior High School

Rationale:  Keri Messersmith-School Psychologist
Ashley Cooper--Junior High Math Teacher
Pat Dodson--3rd grade teacher at Bel Air Elementary 
Becky Miller--Special Education/Digital Integration Facilitator
Taylor Johnson-Speech Language Pathologist
Sarah Eymann-Special Education Teacher at  Norfolk Senior High
Joyce Kirschner- Elementary Media Specialist

Rationale:  Attached are the claims for the month of March, 2019.  These claims were reviewed earlier today by our Finance and Facility committee.  Also attached are the conflict statements on specific claims that need to be read before voting.

Rationale:  The Little Panthers Preschool matches our K-12 calendar as closely as Rule 11 will allow.  For example the LPP start and end dates are different, in order to allow for required home visits and Wednesdays are no school days, in order to allow teachers to have plan time.

Rationale:  No changes have been made to policies 2310-2440 since their first reading.  The Policy Committee recommends their approval. 

Rationale:  Grade Level and Program Capacities have been reviewed and compared to enrollment projections for 2019-2020, as required by state statute.  All grades except 2nd grade and all programs are at capacity (full) for 2019-2020. This means that 2nd grade is the only grade that can accept option enrollments.

Rationale:  Please see attached document.

Rationale:  I am recommending to the board to accept the proposal from Retirement Plan Consultants to continue with managing the district 403 B and Roth plans through 2023-2024 school year.  All components of the proposal will continue the service we currently have with Retirement Plan Consultants.  This proposal was reviewed at last month's Finance and Facility committee meeting.  While only one proposal was submitted, the committee feels the needs of district employees who participate in one or more of these plans will continue to be handled at a high level.

Rationale:  As part of enhancing safety in our district buildings, I am recommending to the board to grant permission to write specifications and request proposals for upgrading intercom and phones throughout the district.  The funds for this will come from maintenance and depreciation budgets.

Rationale:  Annually we budget for the updating of student devices. I'm seeking permission to collect bids for the purchase of Chromebooks for the 2019-2020 school year.  

 

Rationale:  It is recommended to provide the district hourly classified staff a 3.30% increase to their hourly rate for 2019-2020 and district salaried classified staff a 3.30% package increase for 2019-2020.  This is same percentage as agreed upon for the certified staff that was approved in February.  Also attached is the recommended base hiring rates for the district hourly and salary classified positions for 2019-2020.

Rationale:  It is recommended that the nurses receive a 3.30% package increase for 2019-2020.  This percent is the same used with all other employee groups for 2019-2020.  Attached is the proposed 2019-2020 employment agreement for the nurses.

Rationale:  It is recommended to approve a 3.30% package increase for our PK-12 administrative staff for 2019-2020, the recommended salary structure for 2019-2020 is also attached.

Rationale:  I am recommending to the board permission to request proposals for necessary equipment upgrades to bring the current kitchen up to necessary standards in order for the kitchen to become a district production kitchen not only for Little Panthers Pre-School but also other K-4's.  Funds for these upgrades would come from the Nutrition and Depreciation Funds.

Rationale:  The 2nd monthly meeting of the Board of Education has been scheduled for noon on Thursday, March 28, 2019.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, April 8, 2019. The Study Session will begin at 5:30 and will be followed by the Business Meeting at 6:30. All components of these meetings will be held at the NPS Central Administration Offices and will be open to the public unless an Executive Session is needed in order to protect the interest of the district or the reputation of an individual.